Technology and Engineering Literacy Grade 6 Flashcards

A student notices that her school's water fountain wastes water by running continuously. She measures the flow rate, researches low-flow valve options, and proposes a solution to the principal. Which step of the engineering design process does her research phase best represent?

Answer: Defining the problem and gathering information

Researching low-flow valve options after identifying the problem falls squarely in the 'define and research' phase, where engineers gather information needed to generate informed solutions.

Which of the following best explains why algorithms are important in technology systems?

Answer: They are step-by-step instructions that tell a system how to complete a task

An algorithm is a precise, ordered set of instructions that a computer or system follows to accomplish a specific task, making them fundamental to how all software functions.

A city is redesigning its public transportation network. Engineers create a computer model that tests dozens of route combinations before any physical changes are made. What is the main advantage of this approach?

Answer: It allows problems to be identified and fixed at lower cost before real-world implementation

Computer modeling lets engineers explore and correct design flaws virtually, which is far less expensive and disruptive than discovering those problems after infrastructure has already been built.

Which of the following scenarios is the best example of a system with feedback?

Answer: A thermostat that turns heating on when room temperature drops below a set point

A thermostat continuously monitors room temperature and uses that information (feedback) to control the heating system, adjusting its output based on current conditions.

What does 'iterative design' mean in an engineering context?

Answer: Repeatedly testing and improving a design based on results from each trial

Iterative design involves cycles of building, testing, evaluating results, and refining the design — each round of feedback improves the product until it meets the desired criteria.

A student wants to compare which of three different insulating materials best keeps a container of hot water warm over 30 minutes. She uses identical containers, the same starting water temperature, and measures temperature every 5 minutes. What is the purpose of keeping the containers and starting temperature the same?

Answer: To control variables so differences in results can be attributed to the insulating material alone

Controlling variables (using identical containers and starting conditions) isolates the independent variable — the insulating material — so any difference in outcome can be reliably linked to the material being tested.